T-Mobile USA has been a major sponsor of the NBA since 2005 — including a series of ads starring the NBA legends — but we’re hearing it’s unlikely that the Bellevue-based company will be renewing the relationship for the upcoming season.

In response to our inquiry, a T-Mobile USA representative said the relationship with the NBA remains in place, but added that the company hasn’t made any announcements about the upcoming season. The league and the company signed a three-year contract extension three years ago.

T-Mobile is legally required to continue operating as an independent company, competing just as it would under normal circumstances, even with the AT&T deal pending.